This baptism basin has the names of the seven
youngest of the deacon's 11 children and the years of
their christenings engraved in it, and the seven names of
son Ezra's children. The bowl was probably made shortly
before the first date that appears in it -- 1704.

Both Nathaniel's and
Ezra's families lived in Killingworth, Conn.

The engraved candlesticks
that flank the bowl were wedding gifts from Ezra to
daughter Jemima when she married Josiah Griswold
(1752-1821). Their marriage was recorded on June 22,
1774, in the records of Killingworth's 2nd Congregational
Church.

The piece is part of the
family collection at Guest House Retreat &
Conference Center in Chester, Conn., formerly The Inn at
Chester, which is the 1755 house built by John Parmelee.

On the
left is a close-up of the bottom of the 9-inch
bowl that weighs 14 ounces troy. In the center
you can make out a P monogram. At the right is a
piece that was added to the reverse side, with
the names and dates of the children's baptisms.
Note that "Honor" should be Abner.